Fly Fishing

Would you like to read about how to start fly fishing or are you already an expert?

Regardless, we are sure you will find something interesting here.

Czech And French Nymphing

Once again shaking like a leaf as this magnificent fish opened up that sail like dorsal fin and used it to good effect....
Bass Bonanza

They are opportunistic predators and your lure or fly will catch if you present it correctly....
Wickham's Is A Winner

I tweak the fly as it lands… it disappears immediately in a boil of water and I instinctively lift the rod. The tip thumps down and shudders...
Fishing In Antigua

At 40 yards I began to wonder what was on the other end! Was this a big barracuda with huge teeth....
Why This Season Will Be Special

So let the fish judge my flies this season, my goal is to catch a trout using home-tied flies..
River Dane Tragedy & Triumph

A good looking fish imitating a bar of gold breaks the surface and then bolts off towards the far bank...
THE DANCE OF THE BONITA

There is a legend in Irish mythology of ‘An Bradán Feasa’, the Salmon of Knowledge. According to the legend, boundless wisdom is bestowed on whoever catches and eats this fish – the ultimate brain food. Since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease fifteen years ago, I have entertained the fanciful notion that there might be a fish that could replenish the brain’s dopamine producing cells. Their depletion is what causes the disease.
Sight Fishing the Pheasant Tail Nymph

I started to reel in, despairingly hoisting my fly up and over the fish’s head....
Picking Pockets In The Alpes Maritimes

Threading flies and madly casting at rising fish can make for twenty minutes of alpine mayhem.....
The Land of the Long White Cloud

Legend has it that there are even virgin streams hidden deep in wilderness, where monster trout have never seen an artificial fly....
An Olive Spring in the Usk valley

Mid April is a time of transition. It is the time of the season when fishing expeditions, previously inspired by hope, become fishing expeditions radiating with the strong sense of rod-flexing anticipation.
The Realm of the Hebridean Slob Trout

Deep purple stretches far into the distance and a plethora of trout infested lochs lie amid the heather, dotted puddle-like, beneath an all encompassing backdrop of gunmetal mountains. This is North Uist, the loch angler’s paradise.
North Uist Top 10 Trout Lochs

A labyrinth of vast, mysterious and seldom fished lochs lie hidden away in the watery paradise of North Uist. So where on earth do you start and how does the visiting angler, who may only have 10 days to fish several lifetimes’ worth of water, get the best out of this loch fisherman’s wonderland?
A Day With Hywel Morgan On The River Wye

For my birthday a few weeks ago now, I was given a days fishing 1 to 1 with Hywel Morgan.
Verulam Angling Club Trout Section Away Day- Elinor Trout Fishery

The line suddenly tightened, it wasn’t a savage pull but a far more gentle take, I struck out of curiosity (thinking its probably weed) and suddenly....
A Thames Oddity

One twitch of the buzzer was all this fish could take, launching itself onto the fly.....
Thinking of Float Tubing in the UK….?

Simon Kidd asks David Williams, organiser for the forthcoming Snowbee Sponsored float tube association competition at Drift on 10 May, for his comments on float tubing in general....
Bosnia on a Budget

I told one of my friends that I was going to go on a fishing trip to Bosnia - his reply was “I’ve heard there are some good deals on Afghanistan at the moment!” which for a non fisher I’m sure would be a fairly regular response!
New Zealand Backcountry Fishing

The stakes had increased and I was determined not to lose my rainbow to the eel...
UK Saltwater Fly Fishing

A modestly fast strip was interrupted halfway in by a sharp tug....
Boobie Fishing

They should either be used or not be used...
Fishing The River Chess

It was a small fish, but it was stunning and it felt like I had won the lottery!
Bonefish Redemption

The next bit happens so fast and with such absolute certainty that I'm left wondering how it hadn't happened before...
TUNA ON A FLY

Some of the most exciting fishing in the world can be had on the California Baja, a 600-mile strip of land extending south from California U.S.A. On one side is the Pacific Ocean and on the other the Sea of Cortez. It is a part of Mexico as was once California until the battle of Alamo.
Still Waters

I was cramped, uncomfortable, had almost lost my fly up a tree and had nearly fallen face-first into the water!
Atlantic Salmon

The line screamed off again and I could feel this was an even bigger fish......
Sound Strategy

In between the various splashy/slashy rises there will be good trout…serious trout.
Fly Fishing For Grayling In Austria - Gmundner Traun

In the Traun River I have seen some good fish (+20”) coming up from very deep water and turned around half an inch before my fly.
Salmon Fishing In Vancouver

If you see a fish move, look again, there may be 50 or more beneath it forming a swathe of moving, glistening muscle all heading one way - up river.
Apprenticeship As An Angler

I started catching small beautiful brownies immediately often two at a time
Ritual And Tradition

Running water is quite the most intoxicating of mother natures creations and anyone who seeks the aesthetically pleasing could do worse than seek it out.
New Zealand Tongariro

Excitement of the Tongariro, picking up smaller fish….and then bang! …. hitting into bigger, solid, fighting machines that test your tackle to the limits.
One of Frances best kept fishing secrets

The trout rivers of the upper Dordogne valley are varied and plentiful and situated in one of the most scenically glorious areas of France.
Moose Maine Crayfish - Part 1

A crayfish pattern that looked like it would be great for big trout, chub and carp
Moose Maine Crayfish - Part 2

Next fold the moose mane over the top of the fly ...
Dorado On A Fly

Its strength is impressive. When hooked it leaps out of the water several times, in a rainbow trout style....
My Way With Poppers

I’ve found out that poppers work well at night when there’s a big moon and little cloud cover.
On The Water - Meon Springs Fly Fishery

They were very strong fish for their size and both put up excellent battles on the 5 weight outfit I was using......
Oliver Kite

On the crystal clear river Itchen, we watch him catch his limit, all on dry flies, in the ‘dog days’ of August!
Dace On The Northern Line

Pausing to reflect on my success so far and to enjoy the sun shining on my stretch of bank I considered my options. I couldn't be sure of finding a better spot upstream and the further I went the further I would be from the pub.
Tiger Fish

Imagine, if you will, a vast expanse of water in a desert. And no, it’s not a mirage. It’s an odd perception really of an inland “sea” of fresh water, with a 300 mile “coastline” stuck in a volcanic, rock strewn expanse of nothingness.
An Amble Through a Fishing Trip

As the sun set there was a movement of Atlantic salmon the like of which I have never before seen. The whole river from bank to bank was moving with fish, at one stage Peter shouted to me that he had just had 2 fish jump simultaneously between his rod tip and his waders. It was like a scene from a David Attenborough film. Everywhere one looked fish were on the move...
Sea Pooling For Silver

As a young boy I can vividly remember peering out through the misted windows of our small cottage, peat smoke billowing around the room, eagerly awaiting my father’s return and his silver harvest from the pools. Those childhood days have gone, but the overwhelming excitement, the magic of the pools and most importantly the sea trout, remain.
Bahamian Bonefish Adventure

Since the 1950s, the 700 islands that make up the Bahamas have attracted the angler in search of phenomenal bonefishing. Today the sport on offer is every bit as exciting…
Fishing At The End Of The Earth

For hard-fighting sea-trout that can reach 30lbs, the rivers of southern Patagonia are not to be missed...
Fishing OnThe Wild Side

The Kola Peninsula is a true wilderness and a must-visit destination for all keen Atlantic salmon anglers...
Fishing The Flats In Cuba

With endless shallow flats, coral beaches, mangrove channels and crystal clear ocean, Cuba without doubt has everything to rightfully be known as one of the finest destinations to pursue Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit and so many other interesting species....
Fly Line Tapers Densities

Modern Fly Lines come in an ever-increasing array of profiles and densities. For all flyfishers, having the right line for the job increases not only their chances of success but their confidence in meeting the demands of the next cast, or simply getting the fly down to the right depth at the right time....
F Fly Or F Word

The “F” fly is a very simple fly that is quick and easy to tie but it has all the right qualities needed by any artificial to be really successful. In this article, Terry Lawton explains something of its background, how to tie it and corrects some of the myths associated with CDC feathers....
How To Start Fly Tying

Tying your own flies takes fishing to another dimension and it’s not as difficult as it looks....
If You Are New To Salmon Fishing

Catching that first salmon is a major milestone in any anglers career and one to be relished. The sheer magic of the moment is never forgotten. For some the prize will come easily, but for most it will be a journey of frustration and anxious moments so, when success finally comes, it is all the sweeter...
If You Are New To Saltwater Fishing

A rapidly growing side to the sport, saltwater flyfishing is accessible, exciting and unpredictable – what’s more it offers a multitude of hard-fighting species to pursue....
If You Are New To Trout Fishing

For many, trout fishing is a wonderful escape from the hectic routine of everyday life. As if by magic all your worries disappear and all that matters is capturing that elusive trout. Compared to some branches of the sport – carp fishing for example – relatively little tackle is required....
In Search Of Sewin

Fancy trying your hand at sea-trout fishing? If so, head for Wales where, with the right equipment and good conditions, you should be in for some fine sport....
Know Your Knots

Whether your new to fly fishing or thinking of trying a new area or species, confidence in your knot-tying is all important....
Los Roques Flats Hunting

The first thing you notice when visiting Los Roques to fly-fish is the abundance of life in the ocean around you. Lying just off the coast of Venezuela, the waters surrounding the island of Gran Roque are simply teeming with baitfish....
Moisture Management

In recent years breathable clothing has become very popular with fishermen. The combination of breathability and use of lightweight purpose-designed layers has significantly increased the comfort enjoyed by people taking part in outdoor activities....
River Tweed In Autumn

With its stunning scenery and spectacular sport, you’d be hard pushed to find a better autumn salmon fishery than the River Tweed....
Salmon The Scandinavian Way

Fishing large, powerful rivers requires specialist techniques. Here we look at how the many new innovations and developments have changed the way anglers pursue the king of fish….
Stillwater Days

Whether on loch, lake or reservoir, the UK fly-angler is never too far from that favourite and, sometimes tricky, quarry - the trout....
The Urban Double

I thought I’d be the first down there because Nick and Ian, my two partners on the pool that September night, were still to leave London as I made it to the motorway for the mad Thursday night dash to Hampshire’s Southampton Water and the estuary of the world famous River Itchen....
Belize South The Forgotten Land

Sunrise and the tarpon were rolling in the mirror-calm water, accompanied by the piercing screeches of the emerald-green parrots swooping around overhead on dawn patrol. I had paddled one of the lodges 2 kayaks the relatively short distance along the shoreline, past Little Monkey Caye and its roosting frigate birds and around the mangroves that protected the entrance to the creek.
Blackwool And Pops

Even as we were walking down the hill it was obvious there was a lot of activity in the water. Fish could be seen leaping and splashing around the lake - always a good sign!
Carp On The Fly Part 1

OK – down to business carp fans. So if you’ve never picked up a fly rod before, just what do you need to get you started? Well the good news is that contrary to popular belief, fly fishing does not need to cost an arm or a leg. It can but it doesn’t have to!
Carp On The Fly Part 2

So last time we got you all set up with your new fly-fishing tackle, now you just need to know how to use it right! Well, let me start off by saying that 30 years of bad habits and a singular lack of any formal casting lessons under my belt do not necessarily make me the best person to try to teach you how to cast like the guys and girls you see all backlit and shown in slow-motion in the movies and the more artsy television fishing programs.
Carp On The Fly Part 3

So where are the best places to target for carp when flinging a fly you may ask?
Carp On The Fly Part 4

In this article we are going to look in a little more depth about what makes a good carp fly. There is of course no one set of absolute rules to this but I hope I can share some insight into what has worked for me in my own experience, and give you a head start on what to look or aim for when buying or indeed creating your own patterns to try if you are also a fly-tier.
Carp On The Fly Part 5

So far, all my columns regarding catching carp on the fly have accepted the usual approach of using just one fly on the end of the line. Pretty normal stuff, same as most fly-fishers do worldwide, or do they?
Fly Fishing For Wild Brown Trout In Ireland

The Anner is another lovely little spring creek, small, secluded and quite heavily wooded in places. Again there were plenty of fish and it was in this river that I saw the best rises.
Rockin On The West Coast

While most of the week was spent in pursuing the runs of coho (silver) and chinook (king) salmon by deep trolling with light spinning and baitcasting rods
Salmon Flyfishing Its A Temperature Thing

Late spring, with its welcome rise in temperature, is now the time to fish with a floating line and small flies for salmon. But we ask what size is best?
Tackle Maintenance

Roland Henrion, a former fishing guide in Seychelles and designer of the Smart Spooler line winder, suggests a number of ways to look after and care for your rods, reels and fly lines to ensure many years of happy fishing. Tips that might make the difference between landing and loosing a fish of a lifetime.
Travellers Tales Snow Bull

Vancouver offers all the trappings you would expect from any great modern city, but with one unique advantage. Located on the pacific coast of Canada, Vancouver really is the gateway to one of the remaining untouched wildernesses, British Columbia.
Where Have Scotlands Sea Trout Gone

We all know what has happened to the once famed sea trout of Scotland’s west coast – victims of sea lice infestations (a National disgrace) – but this year the runs on Scotland’s (fish farm free) east coast also seem to have collapsed.